The Nebraska Democratic Party is raising questions about the man picked to head the state patrol.

Gov. Pete Ricketts named Bradley Rice to the job earlier this week. Rice is a retired trooper who has managed the Sarpy County 911 Center since last summer.

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Rice was part of interview panels in 2004 that repeatedly turned down a female trooper for a promotion. Carla Schreiber later won a discrimination lawsuit after arguing less-qualified men were promoted ahead of her.

Court documents indicate Schreiber argued she was singled out for the length of her hair and her good performance evaluations were ignored or explained away.

Nebraska Democratic Party Chairman Vince Powers has called on Ricketts to discuss how Rice was vetted for the top job at the State Patrol.

“It just seems unusual that this hiring would come, given his involvement in the denial of a promotion, and the public documents describe his involvement on an interview panel that denied a woman the promotion,” Powers said.

Ricketts said via a spokesperson that he is confident in his choice of Rice.

The governor’s office also released a statement from the first female trooper-area commander of the Nebraska State Patrol. Brenda Konfrst said Rice is a “fair-minded person who treats all patrol members with dignity.”

Rice could not be reached for comment. He will face a confirmation hearing before the Nebraska Legislature Judiciary Committee; however, a date has not been set.